New underpasses will depict UAE's heritage

Dubai: New tunnels on Dubai roads will feature designs depicting the UAE's heritage and culture, said a senior official.

Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said approved designs include prominent icons of the UAE heritage, including the Barajeel (wind tower) and the falcon, drawn in a creative and stylish manner, with Arabic calligraphy in the background.

He said the falcon design will be used to decorate the walls of the underpass near Al Mulla Plaza on Al Ittihad Road, which is still under construction and is scheduled for completion in December.

The Barajeel design was selected to decorate the walls of the underpass at the first interchange at Shaikh Zayed Road, which is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2009.

Folklore designs will be used to decorate walls of the underpass at Mirdiff interchange, which is scheduled to open in February 2009.

"Landscaping and beautification of roads are of paramount importance to the RTA which is always seeking to expand greenery in the emirate and give roads and interchanges a picturesque and attractive view," said Al Tayer.

He said the RTA completed in February implementation of seven main landscaping and beautification projects, at a cost of about Dh57 million, adding a total of 97.8 hectares of greenery.

This year RTA will carry out landscaping in 26 locations covering a total area of 360 hectares, besides which there are currently 130 projects in the design phase.